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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Fear of the Spotlight

Two things recenty got me thinking of author safety. First, the recent shooting in Arizona, and second, an author friend who recieved some scary emails from a reader.

Many of us are trying to get published (and a bunch of my blog followers are), but becoming an author buys a step into a spotlight. We could be watched and regarded by thousands of strangers, some with unbalanced mental states.

Are you ever afraid to become an author? Do you ever wonder if you will fear your readers/fans?

I know I'm just being paranoid, but in this day and age (sadly) it's not a bad thing to look over your shoulder.

Thoughts?

Also, please take a moment to welcome our newest Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog sister, Sarah Fine who'll be blogging about her 2011 Writing Goals. Go Sarah! And stay tuned for next week's post by Deb Salisbury.

76
comments:

It used to be that to some degree authors could hybernate, but now they are forced to market themselves via Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, etc. It's pretty hard to remain mysterious. And yes, it worries me.

I have thought about this. I'm not sure I will ever get to this point, people knowing who I am or an authentic author, but this thought has crossed my mind. There are many scary folks out there. With technology it's hard not to hide. Yes, scary.

This is a relly interesting topic...While I tend to think the best of people, I have always found felt somewhat uncomfortable with on-line interactions (though not so much as I used to). I am a private person and yet I know that building an online presence is important for getting established as a writer--hopefully a published one. I'm often in a quandry over just how far to put myself out there in this oftentimes creepy world...

There is something I like about being an author that Nathan Bransford brought up. You don't instantlly get recognized on the street. I could actually go to a movie and not have to worry about people wanting my photo. But in this day and age you can never be too careful. I may be known as the Fangirl, but I know there are probably other crazier fangirls and fanboys that are probably way scarier than me.

It is dangerous to be famous, particularly very famous. I don't think I'd worry about getting a book published unless it went on to be a household read like Twilight. If I were Stephenie Meyer, I would be very afraid.

I understand where you come from in terms of safety. I myself want to be published, but it is very dangerous to have your name out there. Especially if you write about politics, or or speak out against the norm. A pen name is a good way to cover up your identity, and still write about what you want. JK Rowling did it to help sell her books, because they feared that boys wouldn't buy Harry Potter if they knew she was a woman. Creating an identity might help you feel more secure about having your wonderful writing out there.

It can be terrifying sometimes when you're out in the open and people notice you. Sometimes it scares me to think that some obsessed fan might try to hurt me or my family, but then I remember, "I'm not famous, so I'm not going to worry about that now."

I don't want crazy fans, but if I get one or two, I'll deal with it. Until then, I'll just enjoy writing and attempting to get published.

Paranoia lives with me. I don't think about it every waking moment, but it lurks in the back of my mind. And since I write mystery/suspense, I can think of a lot of scary scenarios. I don't want to be the protagonist of any of them.

I've thought about this. I mean, some of the subject matter in a couple of my books is probably going to tick off some nutjob somewhere. Why else do you think I use my initials instead of my name? (Not that some enterprising young psycho couldn't find me anyway, but it gives me the illusion of anonymity.)

Hi Lydia....yes, interesting subject. I'm not afraid of fame. I think it's partly because of what I write...personal essays, some humorous, some nostalgic...I'm probably being naive saying that, but I feel it's different than a lot of fiction types...By the way, I still haven't used the marvelous gift certificate I won from you, but I definitely will! It's just a matter of time! Thanks again for that!!

I've always figured that hate mail was a good thing because people are reading what you have to say..and it's making some sort of impression. I think with the right PR you could be in the spotlight and mysterious at the same time. Celebrities do it all the time,

Just kidding. You actually never know with people, and some of them are very dangerous. I could not imagine being Stephen King or someone that famous and having to worry about crazed fans and stalkers. Thankfully the likelihood of becoming that famous is slim.

I'm always worried that my books don't have a positive message and that people will take it the wrong way. Also I'm worried that my career will interfere with my writing. I'm constantly terrified that an outraged parent will try to get me fired.

That is scary! When I heard about the shooting it broke my heart because the people were, at the end of the day, killed for doing their job :(. I can't believe your friend got a scary e-mail from a reader! I guess this is one of the downsides of putting yourself out there.

I gues it's a trade off though. I can deal with the crazy fans (if I get any) as long as I have that one or two who makes me feel like it was all worth... and I totally have that already in my mom and best friend.

I give it no mind share, I also rail against the phrase, "in this day and age" unless I am discussing technology. In terms of acceptance and social awareness, the world is a better (and safer) place now than it used to be (when counted by centuries or decades, not by years or minutes. And assuming sensitive people like yourself (or Gabby Giffords)continue to speak out, the world will continue its positive trajectory.

Yikes! I haven't thought about this too much in terms of being a writer, but it's definitely scary. You have to be cautious! I've been thinking of using a pen name (or a modified version of my name) if I get published, because my name is hard to pronounce. The other benefit of that would be added privacy.

Unfortunately danger lurks everywhere. It could be an obsessed fan, or a random accident. I just have to give those things to God. He has a plan and He expects me to work with him on it, but if it's my time, it's my time.

In my line of work I'm used to always looking over my shoulder anyway so I'm prepared for this. Still, writing is a pretty solitary thing and stepping into that spotlight is the opposite. It's a bad world out there and we have to be prepared.

Its a funny world today, and its wise to be a little alert. Take a moment to do 'a little' research, then weigh the odds. And not too fast to race into trouble. But really, the positive side of thinking, please! By the way, is this Blog really you? or is this blog enough proof? Whatever, I like your Blog, thats why I am here.

Interesting thoughts. I'd never considered this before (thanks for giving me another reason to be awake at night! Jokes...). I guess it doesn't worry me too much because having a book published is so far away. Maybe I'll start waking up in deep sweats if/when it starts becoming more real.

Interesting thoughts. I've never actually thought about that, I'm still focusing on getting my novel out. But, the one thing I would fear is getting angry letters from readers, or even obsessive readers.

Yes...there are definitely some disturbed people out there. It's something all writers should contemplate. Not excessively so, but to have thought about it ahead of time. Especially if you want to take on a pseudonym like M. Pax suggests (good idea).

One of the things I'm most worried about is similar to this...it's what do I do when someone who hasn't read my book starts to attack it and takes my words out of context? I still haven't worked that one out yet. I'm trying to just not worry about it until I have to, though, that's not always easy.

That is why I maintain a level of privacy. And I feel bad, because blogging friends want to know more about me, my family, where I live, what I look like, etc. For my family's safety (and sanity) I need to keep a low profile though.

I'm typing to fast. That last comment was for your previous post.I don't think there's any real privacy anymore. not with everything out in cyberspace. I'm not totally scared. After working with families in their own homes, I already been through scary moments. Scary, stalker dudes or dudettes are not the norm. At least I hope not.

You know, it never occurred to me that as an author I'd ever have to deal with a reader...I mean...my information is out there so why didn't it cross my mind?Thought provoking topic...Edge of Your Seat Romance

I have not had this experience as an author and I'm grateful. In my online interactions prior on a message board, I did get someone who became fixated but it never went beyond that forum. It's really a risk.

The world can be a scary place but we cannot live in fear. A thoughtful post Lydia.

I came over to invite you as an aspiring author to my Publication Party. It's in the second week now and this week's guest author is Clarissa Draper who is telling us her journey to publication. It is amazing. I hope you can find time in your 25-hour day to come over and take a peek!

It's always a good thing to be safe as an author. Authors aren't as in the public eye as actors or musicians or politicians but we are in the public eye and we do have people who know us and pay attention to what we're doing.

It's best to keep private things private. To never have information like home address, home phone or information about family members in the public domain. And be safe when we're traveling to market and publicise our work.

Other than that, all we can do is write from the heart, promote our work, and hope for the best.

A certain amount of fear (that is based on intuition as opposed to paranoia) is well-placed in any venue and with any title or avocation. I once worked with a very creepy man who scares me to this day. He also informed a character in my novel, and so his presence in my life -- however frightening at the moment -- had a place of good use... As for the Arizona tragedy, it clearly revealed that one doesn't have to be in the limelight to be in danger. No place or position is safe, unfortunately.

Lydia, you always come up with great ideas for posts, and I love all the insightful comments. Yes, I have thought about it, and yes, I have worried. But most people are helpful. The famous authors community is small and tight. They support each other. If (and that's a big IF, but here's to hoping) that ever happens, I know there are great people out there sharing their wisdom. Thanks again!

As an introvert who naturally prefers to stay *out* of the spotlight, coming forward to actively promote my writing has been a major point of growth for me. It often makes me uncomfortable, even a little mournful over my lost solitude sometimes, but I've yet to be afraid of the potential dangers of the spotlight. I've definitely run across some kooks, but most of them are easily turned away. And the kooks are far outnumbered by the wonderful writers and readers I've been able to meet.

Being an actress, I'm also at risk (not just for blogging) but I've tried to side-step it by trying to really humanize myself with my blog. You know, show my good days, show my bad days, show the spinach in my teeth... and hopefully the stalker finds someone else to idolize. If I see stalker-like tendencies in people, I do tend to back away a bit and put up stronger boundaries, and that's worked (so far.) But I do not envy those who have actually been stalked. Ugh.

I have definitely thought about this a great deal. While I doubt I'll ever be an author popular enough to enter the spotlight, putting so much personal info online can be scary. I'm trying to be more careful about what I put out there, personally.

A great question, Lydia! And one I have thought about, too. What also has keeps me up at nights occasionally is, how does one deal with the fact that you're only as good as your latest book (even if you have had a dozen hits in your kitty before)? :-)

Thanks for stopping by blog! And 600 followers? I am impressed!! Congratulations!

Actually, I got followed while I was walking to the grocery store once - not because of my writing, but because of my hair. I never publicize the town I live in now; my pic is online, so my address is not. You have to be careful, in my opinion.

This reminds me of that time that I crashed my car and Kathy Bates carried me to her house…

I kid, but I had an old blog a couple years back which had enough clues as to my real name and location that a stalky reader tracked me down at my job – even though I’d made it clear that such behavior would be unwelcome.

The security guard downstairs STILL has a picture of him at the security desk.

I’m not a big people person to begin with, and there are SO many lonesome people out there looking for someone/thing to fill the hole in their lives. How could that NOT be scary for a writer?

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